Let Children Be Children

September 13, 2013|Letter to the editor

Central Professor Mary Collins hit the nail on the head when talking about the need for movement in our public schools to attack the problem of obesity [Sept. 3, letter, "Children Need More Than Exercise"].

But movement or activity correlates with far more than preventing fat accumulation, reaching into physical health, mental health, longevity, learning and memory, and general satisfaction and happiness with life.

Today, our schoolchildren are heavily drugged with ADHD medications (to reduce hyperactivity and distractibility) and antipsychotic drugs (to sedate and suppress emotional expression). Research has shown that substantially upping the opportunity for activity and movement during the school day hours can largely negate the need for such drugs and enhance the daily experience of virtually all children.

Some people remember what childhood really is about. Suppressing, constricting and criticizing activity and movement is absurdly wrongheaded and reflects a complete lack of common sense. A childs day needs to be filled with the opportunity and encouragement to move.